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After an emergency meeting called by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday, April 28, 2008, the members unanimously decided to sack the IHF President KPS Gill and suspend the IHF. The decision was taken after Indian Hockey Federation Secretary, K Jothikumaran was caught in a TV sting operation taking bribe. The former super cop, KPS Gill was known to be running the Hockey Federation like a tyrant, conducting a one man show.
The Indian Olympic Committee has, in the meanwhile, appointed an adhoc committee headed by former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan, to look after the affairs of the national sports of the country. The adhoc team will also have on its board veteran players of the game like Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal among others. IOA President, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi remarked that it is painful decision for the IOA but the decision has floated after having a meeting with former Olympians and captains of the hockey team.
The adhoc committee is now the empowered body, which will ensure proper selection of the teams for the international tournaments. Suresh Kalmadi, after the crucial decision, remarked that he has the highest regard for Mr. Gill, who has been a wonderful cop and done excellent work in the state of Punjab. Mr. Kalmadi has not revealed the exact time frame for the elections to the Hockey Federation and has asserted that till the time Indian hockey is not back on track, the adhoc committee only will look after the game. It is for the first time in four decades that the Indian hockey team has not qualified to play at the Olympics. Unfortunately, the women’s team too could not qualify for the Olympics.
